Director of VIMSAR Burla Dr Aswini Pujahari who at one point of time won the hearts of crores of people of western Odisha is now facing virulent protests from many fronts.
Even elite people and many socio-cultural organisations have joined protest against Dr Pujahari demanding his removal from post.
But at the same time, there are also people and organisations who stand firmly behind him and endorse their wholehearted support. “The VIMSAR Director after joining has streamlined the functioning of the institution. At the same time, he has successfully brought the erring and neglecting staff on track,” argued his supporters.
He has emerged as a major threat to people who neglect in their duties for private practice, they opined.
It needs to be mentioned here that on Saturday evening, a good number of people and reputed organizations including Utscharg, Sunday Group, Milita Nagarika Committee, Sambalpur Kala Parishad and many more joined a protest meeting against the Director, highlighting the irregularities and corruption done by him.
In the meeting, many important personalities, senior doctors, PG students and a few doctors of VIMSAR were present who mainly alleged the autocratic rule of the Dr Pujahari. The meeting presided over by Prafulla Kumar Hota demanded that the Director should to be sacked from his post for the greater interest of the people, the patients and the institute as a whole.
But just a day after, many people and organisations have come forward to support the Director and his administrative reforms. “People whose interests are hindered are protesting the director,” commented Paschimanchal People’s Forum. “We will never allow such conspiracy against a good doctor and administrator to be successful,” it warned.
Prof Aditya Prasad Padhi, former VC of Berhampur University, Dr Rama Ballav Mishra, Subrat Panda of Sambal NGO also condemned the anti-Pujahari activities.
However, Director Dr Pujahari, after knowing all these, clarified in a very short reaction: “I am ready to go to jail if a single charge of corruption leveled against me is proved.”